Material handling apparatus



June 26, 1934. G. L. FlsK 1,964,147

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April l0, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 26, 1934. Q L, FlsK 1,964,147

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April l0. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 jg. 3 I] INVENTOR June 26, 1934. G. l.. FlsK 1,954,147

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 10, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fl-g. 4 @5 2D E-Zl 'lill/ll '1,3114 `r7 -10 5 j] rlg, 5 65 VIII/Il 'Illfll IO 8 I] 'Il IIIA '111111. 'II/IIA INVENTOR June 26, 1934. Gi L. F|SK 1,964,147

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Fild April 1o, 1951 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented June 26, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT CFF-ICE Gustaf L. Fisk, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Mesta Machine Company, Homestead, Pa., a corpora.-

tion of Pennsylvania Application April 10, 1931, Serial No. 529,076

17 Claims.

The present invention relates broadly to the art of material handling, and more particularly to a conveying or transfer mechanism for metal shapes or sections, which mechanism is adapted to serve either solely for the purpose of conveying such shapes or sections from one position to another, or for serving in the combined capacity of a conveying mechanism and cooling bed.

It is well recognized in the art of metal working that diierent materials being handled, either due to the different shapes or characteristics, require distinctive types of handling. In some cases, as for example with square or round bars, it is frequently desirable to effect a step by step movement thereof with the different bars either individually disposed or arranged in a succession of individual groups. In other cases it is desirable to effect a similar movement of a plurality of shapes While maintaining all of the shapes in closely adjacent relationship such that as some of the shapes are removed from one end after having been transferred or cooled, a substantially corresponding number of shapes is added at the opposite end.

Heretofore it has been customary to utilize diierent conveying or cooling bed mechanisms for performing these different operations, each mechanism being vlimited to the perfomance of a single operation or to the handling of articles of certain characteristics only. In the case of a cooling bed, which is frequently called upon to handle a. large tonnage, it will be apparent that the area occupied is sometimes tremendous. If it is necessary to duplicate this cooling bed mechanism in order to adapt the mill to the handling of different shapes, not only is the cost increased,

but the difficulty of operation and the amount of space required are both excessive.

The present invention has for one of its objects 40 the provision of an improved handling apparatus adapted to effectively handle any desired type of material, thereby effecting a conservation oi' space, a decrease of cost and greater facility in handling.

The term material handling apparatus as hereinafter utilized will be understood as descriptive of and including conveyors, cooling beds, transfer mechanisms, and the like, and the term material will be understood as inclusive of the different shapes, types and kinds of material which such apparatus is adapted to handle.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:

Figure l is a viewvpartly 'm end elevation and partly in section, of a handling apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and partly in section, of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line IV-IV of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating the parts in slightly diierent position;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line VI-VI of Figure l;

Figure 6a is a partial side elevational view of 70 the mechanism of Figure 6;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic explanatory view of the operation of the apparatus under one condition of movement;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 illustrat- 75 ing a different characteristic movement; and

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figures 7 and 8 illustrating still a further possible operation.

The present invention is characterized by the provision of groups of handling members which 80 members are adapted to be moved as groups for performing certain characteristic movements, or part of which members may be individually moved relative to the others for changing the operative functionof the mechanism. In other g5 words, the mechanism as an entity, includes groups of members which members individually may be made selectively available for use with different materials.

By reference more particularly to Figure 3 of 90 the drawings, it will be apparent that there is provided a series of substantially parallelly extending material supporting members which members are indicated as divided into alternate groups A and B. Each group A contains a mexnber 2 having a series of notches 3 formed in its upper surface throughout substantially the entire length thereof, and a. second member 4 the upper surface of which is substantially fiat.

In like manner, each group B comprises a. member 5 similar in all respects to the members 2. and a member 6, likewise similar in all respects to the members 4. In Figure 1 there is illustrated one relationship of the members 2 and 4 of a. group A. The corresponding members of each group B may occupy a similar relationship.

In this relative position of the parts the supporting surfaces of the members 4 lie in a plane which is above the plane of the supporting Surfaces formed by the notches 3 in the members 2. 110

In this relative position of the parts, if material is fed onto the mechanism, it will be supported entirely by the members 4 and 6 of the respective groups A and B. As the invention becomes better understood, however, it will be apparent that this relationship may be changed whereby the supporting plane of the members 4 and 6 may be brought below the plane of the supporting surfaces of the members 2 and 5 whereby material delivered to the mechanism will be handled by the members 2 and 5 to the exclusion of the members 4 and 6.

Referring more particularly to Figure 1 of the drawings, it will be apparent that there are provided longitudinally extending beams 7 and 8 connected by a cross beam 9. Any desired number of these cross beams arranged at suitable intervals below the members 2, 4, 5 and 6 may be provided for suitably tying the beams 7 and 8 together in pairs.

Disposed adjacent the beams 7 and 8 are other beams 10 and 11 which are similarly tied together by cross beams 12.

The members 2 are rigidly secured to the beams 7 and 8 by means of extensions 14 formed on the members and projecting downwardly so as to engage the beams. The members 4 are likewise connected to the beams for movement therewith concomitantly with the members 2. The connecting means for the members 4, however, is of such construction as to permit relative movement and will be hereinafter referred to in greater detail.

The members 5 of the groups B are secured to the beams 10 and 11 by means of projections 15, similar to the projections 14, while the members 6 of the groups B are secured flexibly to the beams 10 and 11 in a manner similar to that used in connection with the members. 4.

The construction hereinbefore referred to constitutes what may be compositely designated as a supporting structure arranged at a substantial distance above the level of the bed foundation. In Figure 1, I have shown suitable pairs of supports 16 as projecting upwardly from the level of the bed foundation and as carrying pedestals 17 in which are journaled shafts 18. These shafts carry cranks each comprising oppositely disposed horizontally extending portions 20 and 21 respectively, and a downwardly projecting portion or arm 22. The arms 22 are bifurcated at their lower ends to straddle horizontally extending connecting rods 23 by means of which the cranks may all be moved in unison. Each end of each of the cross beams 9 is provided with a downwardly open bearing 24 with each of which cooperates the rounded`end 25 of a substantially vertically extending actuating member 26. The lower end of each member 26 is in turn provided with a hemispherical head portion 27 cooperating with an open bearing 28 in each of the arms 20.

Similarly cooperating with the cross beams 12 are substantially vertically extending supporting members '28' which, however, Ycooperate at their lower ends with the arms21.

By reason of the construction just described, it will be apparent that if the connecting rods 23, as viewed in Figure 2 of the drawings, are moved to the left, the shafts 18 will berotated'in a; clockwise direction and the portions 20 lowered while Athe portions 21 are raised. This will result in lowering the cross beams 9 and thereby the groups of members A. Simultaneously'with this lowering movement of the groups A, the upward movement of the arms 21 will result in lifting the cross beams 12 and thereby the groups B. The groups of members A thus move downwardly simultaneously with the movement of the members B upwardly, and in like amounts to the limit permitted by the movement of the connecting rods 23 in the direction aforesaid. Thereafter, reversal in the direction of movement of the connecting rods will result in the opposite condition of raising the groups A concomitantly with the lowering of the groups B. The extent of raising and lowering movement of the respective groups will be determined by the extent of reciprocal movement imparted to the connecting rods.

Each of the cross beams 9 is provided adjacent one end on its under surface with a bearing 29 adapted to receive a' ball 30 on one end of a horizontally extending actuator 31. The opposite end of this actuator has a similar ball joint 32 with a rocking arm 33. Similarly, each cross beam 12 is provided adjacent one end with a ball joint 34, including one end of a horizontal actuator 35, the opposite end of which has a similar ball joint connection within a rocking arm 36. The rocking arms 33 and 36 extend from diametrically opposite sides of a substantially vertically arranged rocking shaft 37. Each of these rocking shafts has an `upper bearing 38 and a lower bearing 39. Intermediate these bearings there is secured to each rocking shaft a crank 40, the cranks being bifurcated at their outer ends to lie on opposite sides of a horizontally extending connecting rod 41.

By reason of this construction, it will be apparent that reciprocation of the connecting rod 41 in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the paper as viewed in Figure 1 and toward the observer, will result in rotating the rocking arms 33 to the right as viewed in this gure, thereby correspondingly moving the cross beams 9 and their associated parts to the right, while simultaneously moving the rocking arms 36 and thereby the cross beams 12 and their associated parts to the left. Thus, as the groups A move downwardly, they are also moved to the right, while as the groups B move upwardly they are moved to the left, having reference to Figure 1. This condition is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 7 in which gure I have illustrated one of the members 5.

Having reference to this gure, it will be assumed that it is desired to move the material M, herein illustrated as comprising substantially rectangular bars, in the direction illustrated by the arrow 42 across the mechanism. As before pointed out, the member 5 is moved upwardly and to the left, this condition being indicated by the circle 43. The amount of such movement is such as to move a bar from the point 44 to the point 45, the bar during this movement passing through the point 46. At the same time, a corresponding point 47 on a member 2 passes downwardly and to the right in the direction indicated by the circle 48, this point passing through the point 49 to the point 45. Continued movement ofthe parts will cause the point 47 on a bar 2 to move upwardly and to the left, travelling from point 45 through point 50 back to point 47.

' This movement will be effective for lifting one of the bars out of engagement with the members 5, which members during this time are moving downwardly and to the right in such manner that the point 45 moves downwardly through point 51 and returns to point 44. Thus each cycle of movement of the members 2 and 5 effective for advancing each bar of material a distance equal to the dimensions of two of the notches 3, and for returning the members 2 and 5 respectively to their original positions ready for a succeeding cycle. In this manner there is obtained a step by step individual movement of each of the bars. Ordinarily, it will be the practice to effect a movement of one notch by traversing a halfcycle, as will be described later. While the illustration of Figure 7 shows individual bars in each of the notches, it will be understood that a group of bars may be similarly moved simultaneously by each notch during each cycle of movement of the parts.

In many cases it is impractical to utilize notched supporting members for the reason that the notched surface limits the maximum width of the pieces which can be handled and limits the distance between individual articles on the conveyor, and hence the number of such articles which can be handled by the conveyor at any one time. In like manner the length of the individual steps is limited to the distance between notches as before set forth. Also, it may happen that conveyor bars or supporting members with a fiat top surface may be necessary for other reasons. Hot bars of non-symmetrical section are subject to cambering in the cooling process and must be handled on a fiat bed surface. Other bars may be subject to slow cooling and must be handled in pack formation, as before referred to, which also necessitates a straight or flat`top surface on the supporting members. The members 4 and 6 provide a flat top supporting surface effective in such cases.

During the operation previously described where bars are advanced by utilizing the notched supporting members 2 and 5, the flat top supporting members 4 and 6 are so disposed that their supporting surfaces will lie below the supporting surfaces of the notched members. When the flat topped supporting members are utilized, howeverI the opposite condition must obtain, and the supportingplane of the members 4 and 6 must be disposed generally as illustrated in Figure 1. By reference more particularly to the drawings and the illustrations of Figures l, 4 an'd 5, it will be apparent how this change in relationship is accomplished.

Carried in suitable bearings on the beams 7 are shafts 52 which shafts have secured thereto worm wheels 53 adapted to be driven by worms 54 through a universal joint 55 from a telescopic shaft 56. This telescopic shaft in turn has a universal connection 57 with a shaft 58 extending upwardly from a gear reduction housing 59 receiving power from a drive shaft 60. Secured to the shaft 52, as illustrated more particularly in Figures 4 and 5 are cranks 61 having each a pivotal connection 62 with one of the at topped members 4. Carried in suitable journals on the beams 8 is a shaft 63, disposed parallelly to the shaft 52. This shaft likewise carries cranks 64 each having a pivotal connection 65 with one of the fiat topped members 4 adjacent the opposite end thereof. By reason of thisconstructon, rotation of the shaft 52 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures l and 4 will be effective for Aswinging the fiat topped members 4 to the right and downwardly into the position i1- lustrated in Figure 5. In this position their supporting surface lies below the supporting plane of the notches 3. When, however, the shaft 52 is rotated in the opposite direction the members 4 are restored to their Figure 4 position.

In like manner, the beam 11 carries a shaft 66 adapted to be driven from a suitable gear reduction 67 through a telescopic shaft 68. The beam 10 also carries a shaft 69 in parallelrelation to the shaft 66, the shafts 66 and 69 being connected through cranks 70 to the members 6 whereby these members may be moved similarly to the members 4.- When it is desired to effect an operation by means of the flat topped members, the shafts 52 and 66 respectively are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction for elevating the members 4 and 6. The members having thus been moved to their upper position, they will prevent material crossing the conveyor from contacting either with the members 2 or the members 5, although the groups of members will be simultaneously moved as before described.

In Figure 8 there is. illustrated a characteristic operation for the transfer of substantially rectangular shapes 71 in the direction indicated by the arrow 72. The orbital paths 73 in this figure correspond to the circles described in connection with Figure 7, the difference resulting from a decrease by one-half in the amount of motion imparted to the connecting rod 41. Each half cycle will be effective for advancing a bar one step on one of the supporting members 6 of each group B, while the next half cycle will Y be effective for obtaining a similar advancement on the members 4 of each group A, the individual bars thus coming to rest two complete steps in advance of their original position. The cycles may obviously be either intermittent or in continuous succession depending upon the rapidity with which a transferring operation is to take place.

The diagrammatic illustration of Figure 8 is indicative of the type of movement which will be effective for transferring relatively narrow bars. In Figure 9 there is illustrated a slightly modied type of movement effective for transferring relatively wider bars 74 on the flat topped supporting'members 4 and 6. The orbital paths dividual relative movement may always be obtained between certain of the supporting members of each group and the other members, in

the manner described.

In Figures 6 and 6a, I have diagrammatically illustrated a driving mechanism effective for properly correlating and effecting the desired movements of the connecting rods 23 and .41; In these figures there is show n a driving motor 76 which may be used in conjunction with or independently of a similar motor 77. The two motors are illustrated as having theirarmature shaftsprovided with couplings 78 affordinga driving connection to a pinion shaft. 79. This pinion shaft is effective through a suitable gear train 80 for driving a crank shaft 8l. On one end the crank shaft is formed with a crank 82 to which is secured one end of a connecting rod 83.

The opposite end of the connecting rod is connected to a collar 84 rotatably journaled on a transversely extending shaft 85, the two parts being capable of independent rotative movements. The collar 84 has a ball and socket connection 85 with a second connecting rod 86 which, at its opposite end has a ball and socket connection 87 with a crank 88. This crank has a p.votal mounting 89 in a suitable stand 90, and is provided intermediate its ends with an operating connection 91 for the connecting rod 41. It will be apparent that by adjusting the ball connection 87 toward or away from the pivotal mounting 89 of the crank 88, the length of the stroke imparted to the connecting rod 41 may be varied. For effecting such an adjustment, the crank may carry an adjusting screw 92 connected to the ball and socket joint through a nut 93 for effecting adjustment thereof when the screw is rotated. In this manner any desired throw may be imparted to the connecting rod, thereby adjusting the length of travel thereof and the transferring Width of each cycle as illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 7, 8 and 9.

Secured to the opposite end of the crank shaft 81 is a second crank 94 with which cooperates one end of a connecting rod 95. This connecting rod at its opposite end has a ball and socket connection 96 with a crank 97 secured to the shaft 85. The crank construction 97 is generally similar to that of the crank construction 88, the ball and socket connection 96 being adjustable along the crank in the manner before described. The operation of the connecting rod 95 will tend to rotate the shaft 85. This shaft, adjacent its opposite ends is provided with downwardly projecting levers 98 which are operatively connected to the rods 23, so that movements of the shaft 85 are transmitted to the rods 23 in timed relation to movements of the connect`ng rod 41.

The construction just described enables the relative length of travel of the various connecting rods to be varied at will while the de-,

sired synchronous relationship thereof is maintained.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a material handling apparatus adapted for transferring or`conveying material or serving as a cooling bed therefor, and of such characteristics that it is adapted to replace a plurality of individual beds or s`milar mechanisms as heretofore employed. The provision of groups of supporting members in which all of the members of a group may be simultaneously moved in a predetermined direction, or in which certain members of the group may be moved relatively to the others, enables the type of the supportng surface provided to be varied at will.

While I have herein illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent that changes in the construction and operation of the parts may be made without departng either from the spir't of the present invention or the scope of my broader claims.

l. In a conveyor for conveying articles in a step by step motion, a supporting surface composed of a plurality of notched bars, means for moving said bars in orbital paths with the motion of alternate bars substantially 180 apart, means for changing the contour of the orbital paths, a second set of top bars having a top surface different from the surface of the firstmentioned bars, and means for moving said second ser, of bars to dispose their top surface selectively above or below the top surface of the first mentioned bars.

2. In a conveyor for conveying metal articles in a step by step motion, a top surface composed of bars having one type of supporting surface, means for moving the bars in orbital paths with the motion of alternate bars substantially 180 apart, means for varying the amplitude of movement of said bars, a second set of bars mounted between the rst mentioned bars and having a different typical supporting surface, shaft and crank mechanism supporting the second set of bars, and means for actuating said mechanism to dispose the top surface of the second set of bars selectively above or below the top surface of the first mentioned bars. l

3. In a conveyor for metal articles, a supporting surface composed of alternate notched and flat bars selectively available, a conveyor structure supporting said bars, one set of bars being rigidly attached to said structure and the other set ci oars being movably secured thereto, and means for effecting movement of said last mentoned set of bars for bringing the top surface certain of said transverse members being movable relative to the structure, means for vibrating said structures, and means for shifting the movable transverse members of each structure.

6. In a material'handling apparatus, a grid-like structure mounted for bodily oscillation, said structure including llongitudinal and transverse members, certain of said transverse members being movable above and below the other transverse members, means for oscillating the structure, and means for shifting the movable transverse members thereof.

7. In a material handling device, a pair of grid-like structures mounted for oscillation, each structure comprising longitudinal members and transverse members, said transverse members having different material engaging surfaces, means for moving certain of the transverse members relative to said structures, and means for oscillating the structures bodily.

8. A material handling apparatus comprising a grid-like structure mounted for oscillation, said structure comprising longitudinal and transverse members, certain of said members being movable relative to the structure so as to extend above or lie below other members, means for effecting such movement of said members, and means for bodily oscillating the structure.

9. In a material handling apparatus, a pair of grid-like structures mounted for oscillation, each structure comprising longitudinal members and transverse members, successive transverse members'of each structure having a different character of material engaging surface, transverse members of each structure having similar material engaging surfaces being movable relative to said structure, means for moving said similar transverse members of each structure relative thereto, and means for bodily oscillating said structures.

l0. A material handling apparatus including a pair of vibrating grid-like structures, each structure comprising longitudinal members and transverse members, successive transverse members having flat and notched material engaging surfaces, respectively, the transverse members having one of said types of material engaging surfaces being movable relative to said structures, and means for shifting the movable transverse members of each structure relative thereto.

1l. In a material handling apparatus, a plurality of aligned material supporting bars, successive bars having different types of material engaging surfaces, alternate bars, having the same type of surface, being supported on oppositely moving frames, all the bars of at least one type of engaging surface on each of said frames being movable relative thereto, and means for shifting said movable bars on said frames.

l2. A step-by-step conveyor comprising a plurality of supporting bars, successive bars having different, and alternate bars similar types of material engaging surfaces, supporting means for oscillating alternate bars relative to each other, the bars adjacent said aforementioned alternate bars being movably mounted on said oscillating means, and means for moving said last-mentioned bars relative to said oscillating means.

13. In a material handling apparatus, a plurality of material engaging bars having different types of material engaging surfaces mounted on a pair of oscillating frames, the material engaging bars of at least one type on each frame being movable relative thereto, and means for moving said movable bars relative to said frames.

14. A material handling apparatus comprising an oscillating frame, a plurality of material engaging bars mounted thereon having a plurality of types of material engaging surfaces, the bars having one type of material engaging surface being movable relative to said frame, and means for moving said last-mentioned bars relative to said frame.

15. A hot bed comprising two series of hot bed bars, the work supporting edges of the bar of one series having retarding surfaces for retarding the work supported thereon and the work supporting edges of the bars of the other series having plane surfaces to permit free movement of the work thereover, and means for adjusting the said bars so that either the bars havingcwork retarding edges or those having plane work supporting edges may be presented for receiving the work t0 be cooled.

16. A hot bed comprising hot bed bars extending transversely thereof, means for supporting said bars, and means for adjusting the said bars so that bars having notches in their work supporting edges or having plane work supporting edges may be presented for receiving the work to be cooled.

1'7. A hot bed comprising hot bed bars extending transversely thereof, the said bars being divided into a couple of series, and means for simultaneously adjusting the bars of both series to provide means for retarding the work in its travel upon the said bars or to permit free movement of the work upon said bars.

GUSTAF L. FISK.

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